Sometimes miniature form is better, and in this case, these toasted coconut cupcakes are mouthwatering-delicious!
My husband's birthday was last week, and I must admit, after being swamped in the beginning of October, my mind is far from elaborate cake making. Thankfully my husband does not expect anything crazy and usually prefers the easy desserts (tiramisu anyone?!) but I still feel bad that he is second fiddle to our birthdays. He mentioned he liked the subtle coconut flavor in my ghost cake so I revisited the recipe and created these cute and delicious toasted coconut cupcakes with coconut glaze.
He states he "isn't a sweet eater," but I see him going back for seconds!! Knowing he does not care for overly sweet foods, I decided to skip a buttrecream altogether and top these cupcakes with a simple glaze. This allowed for the coconut flavor to come through and not risk masking it. We both loved the change from standard buttercream on these cupcakes, and for people short on time or just not into cupcake decorating, this recipe is for you! Plus, I like to tease him that old people like coconut-flavored desserts (psh, non-coconut-lovers are just weird!)
📖 Recipe
Toasted Coconut Cupcakes with Coconut Glaze
Easy and subtle Toasted Coconut Cupcakes that requires no buttercream to complete! Fast, simple, and to the point, without being too coconut-y or artificial.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups cake & pastry flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- ¼ tsp. salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line muffin pan with cupcake liners.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the coconut oil and sugar. Beat until light and fluffy, about 5 min. Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure to combine well before adding the next. Add almond extract and mix well. In a separate bowl, combine the coconut cream and vinegar. Set aside.
- Sift together the flours, baking powder, and salt.
- With the mixer on low, add in the flour mixture and cream mixture alternatively, always starting and ending with the dry ingredients. I usually work in ½ cup flour mixture and ⅛ to ¼ cup liquid alternatively. Mix until just combined. Stir in ½ cup toasted coconut.
- Using an ice cream scoop, add enough batter to each muffin liner until almost to the top. Place into oven and bake for 18-22 minutes (depends on your sizing!) Allow to cool slightly in muffin tin before moving the cupcakes to a wire rack to finish cooling.
- To make the glaze, mix together sugar, milk, and extract. Add more milk if necessary (you don't want too liquidity, but you don't want too firm either!) Dip cupcakes into glaze or use a spoon like I did to gently glaze the cupcakes. Sprinkle with toasted coconut and press down lightly to help it stick.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 20 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 376Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 170mgCarbohydrates: 48gFiber: 1gSugar: 33gProtein: 4g
I absolutely adore using coconut oil in my desserts. Butter has a special place in my heart, but there is something about the moistness that coconut oil adds to a cake recipe. I know not everyone loves the taste of coconut, but if I add coconut oil to a chocolate recipe, you cannot taste it. In a vanilla recipe, it does pop through a bit so you may want to keep an eye on that. However, in the case of these toasted coconut cupcakes, I found the coconut flavor quite subtle considering I used coconut oil and coconut cream/milk. I am sure coconut extract would enhance the flavor but sometimes I find that can make things taste artificial.
Plus, toasting coconut just adds another coconut-y element and seriously, I don't think I ever use non-toasted coconut in recipes now! So simple and quick, I have converted non-coconut people into accepting coconut because toasted coconut just has an awesome flavor about it! Keep an eye out for a future tutorial on how to make toasted coconut (because these toasted coconut cupcakes wouldn't be the same without that special ingredient!)
Marye
I love toasted coconut! These cupcakes sound amazing!
Kacey
Toasted coconut makes everything better!
stephanie
I love toasted coconut! Happy birthday to your hubby - looks like he got the perfect treat!
Kacey
Thank you, Stephanie! He sure did!
Lauren
I love toasted coconut! These are so pretty!
Kacey
Thank you!
Joy @ Joy Love Food
I love all things coconut, these little cupcakes sound delicious and are so cute too!
Kacey
I am with you on loving all things coconut!
Laura
I love the aroma of toasted coconut! I usually prefer unsweetened flaked, but I imagine I could pile that on these babies also!
Kacey
I agree with you, Laura. A little mishap of not reading the bags properly in this case 🙂 Unsweetened coconut definitely lets you control that sugar content!
Annie
Coconut is what I would choose!! These cupcakes look amazing!
Kacey
I feel it would be hard not to pick coconut!
Susan | LunaCafe
I love "simple" cakes, and this one sounds wonderful. So much flavor!
Kacey
This one is definitely that, Susan! I like not having to make a buttercream every time.
Sheena @Tea and Biscuits
I love your cupcakes they look perfect, and it's hard to beat toasted coconut!
Kacey
Completely agree, Sheena!
eat good 4 life
I adore coconut. Coconut all the way. These cupcakes look delicious, moist and spongy like. I must make something like this very soon. I know my kids would love me for it 🙂
Kacey
I am glad to hear your kids love coconut!
Andi @ The Weary Chef
Coconut cake is my very favorite. These look perfect, Kacey!
Kacey
Yay, Andi! More coconut lovers 🙂
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
Coconut fan here....I say GO FOR IT!
Kacey
Ahaha, thanks, Dorothy!
Renee - Kudos Kitchen
Brilliant idea with the glaze and simple toasted coconut! They look amazing and I like how you said it lets the coconut flavor shine. Happy b-lated birthday to your husband!
Kacey
Thank you, Renee! Keeping it simple has its benefits 🙂
Kimberly Ann @ Bake Love GIve
I bet these are amazing with the toasted coconut and coconut cream. They sound so good!
Kacey
They did not last so I will take that as a positive sign 🙂